Waltham, Mass. — Columbia fencing is back on the strip for the most important bouts of the season so far, as they head to NCAA Regionals at Brandeis University on Sunday. The Lions will send their top 20 fencers to Northeast Regionals this weekend, in hopes of qualifying the maximum of 12 (2 of each weapon, men and women) permitted for NCAA Championships. NCAA's will take place at Penn State from March 22-25.

HOW IT WORKS

The qualification for the NCAA Championship is based on a formula comprising a 60 percent weight on regional performance and 40 percent regular-season meets. Regional champions for each weapon automatically advance, with remaining bids going to fencers based on performance and the region they compete in. Twenty-four spots in the epee, foil and sabre for both men’s and women’s competitors will be distributed.

The Lions are a top the Northeast individual rankings in almost every weapon. In women's foil Sylvie Binder, Iman Blow, Ester Schreiber and Quinn Crum are the top-4 in the region. Giana Vierheller is the top-seed in women's epee and Lena Johson and Violet Michel are the No. 2 and No. 3 seeds in women's sabre. Gabe Canaux is the No. 2 seed in men's epee and Sam Moelis, Sidarth Kumbla and Nolen Scruggs make up the No. 2, 3 and 5 slots, respectively in men's foil.